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Comments allow readers to respond directly to a specific posted story and to carry on a conversation among others who are also responding to that story.
How often should we check comments of a story? Daily, reporters should look at comments made about their stories that have been posted the day before and during the day. Editors should look at comments on the “most popular” stories every day to ensure no inappropriate comments are being made about the top stories on your site. Looking at comments on a daily basis is important because reporters can get tips and gather reader feedback. It is also important to ensure that comments for stories are not inappropriate.
Should I get involved in the conversation? Reporters, using their full identity, should interact with posters commenting on their stories, especially when facts need to be corrected, clarified or explained. This is not necessary with every story you post, but if there is confusion about an issue, feel free to note who you are and clear up a misconception about a post. Never get involved in the commentary of a post.
What do I do if the conversation is inappropriate? Every GateHouse newspaper has its own commenting management system, which can be accessed by going to {Your site.com}/comments.
There are several choices you have:
• You can switch the “commenting status” from on to off for individual posts. You also have the option to turn your commenting off altogether.
• For each comment, you have the option to flag it as spam by clicking the “Spam” button.
• You also have the option to set up your site to allow an editor to reject comments that you find inappropriate.
• Don’t make any edits to comments, but if it is inappropriate, delete the comment entirely.
Before I get to the point of needing to delete a user, what should I do? Based on the severity of the posting, consider telling the poster first that the post is inappropriate and that you are deleting it. If the behavior continues, warn the poster that his or her profile may be deleted.
Are there certain kinds of stories that I should disable comments for? That is a local decision, but have a conversation before a story is posted about the pros and cons of the story comments. Racial issues, crime and political stories have typically been the most dangerous concerning story comments.
Can readers flag things they find inappropriate? Yes. A user will have to be registered/logged in to use this feature. They will also have to enter an e-mail address and a reason before submitting the abuse. Once a user submits an abuse, it will come to the e-mail address that currently receives those kind of notices.
Comments allow readers to respond directly to a specific posted story and to carry on a conversation among others who are also responding to that story.
How often should we check comments of a story? Daily, reporters should look at comments made about their stories that have been posted the day before and during the day. Editors should look at comments on the “most popular” stories every day to ensure no inappropriate comments are being made about the top stories on your site. Looking at comments on a daily basis is important because reporters can get tips and gather reader feedback. It is also important to ensure that comments for stories are not inappropriate.
Should I get involved in the conversation? Reporters, using their full identity, should interact with posters commenting on their stories, especially when facts need to be corrected, clarified or explained. This is not necessary with every story you post, but if there is confusion about an issue, feel free to note who you are and clear up a misconception about a post. Never get involved in the commentary of a post.
What do I do if the conversation is inappropriate? Every GateHouse newspaper has its own commenting management system, which can be accessed by going to {Your site.com}/comments.
There are several choices you have:
• You can switch the “commenting status” from on to off for individual posts. You also have the option to turn your commenting off altogether.
• For each comment, you have the option to flag it as spam by clicking the “Spam” button.
• You also have the option to set up your site to allow an editor to reject comments that you find inappropriate.
• Don’t make any edits to comments, but if it is inappropriate, delete the comment entirely.
Before I get to the point of needing to delete a user, what should I do? Based on the severity of the posting, consider telling the poster first that the post is inappropriate and that you are deleting it. If the behavior continues, warn the poster that his or her profile may be deleted.
Are there certain kinds of stories that I should disable comments for? That is a local decision, but have a conversation before a story is posted about the pros and cons of the story comments. Racial issues, crime and political stories have typically been the most dangerous concerning story comments.
Can readers flag things they find inappropriate? Yes. A user will have to be registered/logged in to use this feature. They will also have to enter an e-mail address and a reason before submitting the abuse. Once a user submits an abuse, it will come to the e-mail address that currently receives those kind of notices.
